A lot of Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Region drivers get custom wheels. When you do this yourself (over the internet . . .) you could run into trouble if you’re not careful. Sometimes, once they’re mounted, they just didn’t fit right. The tires rub in turns or on bumps. You don’t want that.

Consulting a tire professional at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. can ensure you get the right fit. First he’ll ask you a series of questions about your driving needs in Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Region and what you want in your new wheels.

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC., we advise Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Region tire buyers that not every wheel can go on every car. Care must be taken so that tires and wheels are not too large or that the wheel is centered too far towards the outside or the inside so the tires rub.

If you don’t want to make any modifications to your SUV, you need to focus on the wheels that fit. With trucks, some Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Region people like much bigger tires so they need a suspension lift.

Also, most Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Region people don’t realize that you need to keep the rolling diameter of your new tires – that’s, like the overall height of the tire – very close to what came from the factory in order for your anti-lock brakes and stability control systems to work properly.

The SUV’s computers that control these systems are calibrated to a certain size tire. When you go bigger or smaller, the computer doesn’t know what changes you made so it can’t tell how fast you’re going. This, of course, means it sends commands to the brakes and traction control that are based on the wrong speed. If you go with a different rolling diameter, your SUV’s engine control computer can be reprogrammed for the new tire size. For information on reprogramming the engine computer, call us at 603.526.6231.

Either way, there are hundreds of wheel and tire choices to choose from in Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Region. You can pick the style of wheel you want and then talk with your MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. tire professional about how big the wheel should be – and select the right tire to meet your style, performance, ride and handling needs.

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London New Hampshire (03233) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.526.6231. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The Check Engine Light strikes fear into the hearts of some New London drivers and is totally ignored by just as many. Just what it means is a mystery to most of us in New Hampshire.

First, if your SUV check engine light is flashing, that means that something is wrong that could cause severe damage to the catalytic converter or other components. Get that taken care of right away. If your check engine light is flashing, you shouldn’t drive at New London highway speeds, tow or haul heavy loads. Take it easy all the way to MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London.

If the light is glowing steadily, you should keep an eye on it for a day or two. If the light doesn’t go off, schedule an appointment with your New London service advisor to get it checked out.

Some more information from MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. on how the Check Engine Light works may be informative. Most of your SUV engine functions are controlled by a computer, not surprisingly, called an engine control computer. The computer is able to adjust many engine parameters for environmental conditions, engine condition and even the way you drive in New London.

In order to make these adjustments, the SUV computer relies on a network of sensors to provide data. The computer knows the proper operating range for each sensor. When a sensor reading is out of range the computer runs some tests and may turn on the Check Engine Light.

The SUV computer will also try to make adjustments to compensate for some readings. If it can do so, it’ll then turn off the Check Engine Light.

If the problem can’t be resolved then the light will remain on and you should get your SUV looked at at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC.. Your Professional service technician will plug a scanner into the on-board diagnostic port and read the trouble code stored in the computer. The trouble code will give your MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. technician a starting place as he diagnoses the cause of the problem.

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC., we also offer Brakes and Timing Belt Replacement.

Give us a call

MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC.
603.526.6231
330 Elkins Road
New London, New Hampshire 03233

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London New Hampshire (03233) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.526.6231. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Most New London drivers know that braking means slowing or stopping a vehicle. The mechanical aspects of the brakes themselves are just one issue. There’s also the power brake system and brake fluid. And then there are the tires, which are critical to the effectiveness of the brakes.

Let’s step back. A car or truck rolls brand new off the showroom floor at a local New London dealer. It has brand new brakes with brand new brake pads. The brake lines and the power assist are filled with fresh fluid and are completely clean inside. And the SUV tires are brand new, with full tread. Naturally, braking power is at its peak performance.
 
Now, as your drive from New London to Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Area and back, the miles start to add up. Most New London car owners tend to focus on the brake pads. In the New London automotive service community, the pads, and shoes on drum brakes, are called the friction material. That’s because they provide the friction used to stop the SUV. The pads are designed to be effective throughout their useful life – it’s not until they are worn so thin as to be out of spec that they lose stopping effectiveness.

The mechanical parts of the brakes have pistons and springs that get quite a workout while stopping the SUV. Over many miles, these wear and get gummed up. They start to lose effectiveness gradually and could even fail. That’s why a regular brake inspection is important. At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC., we can test the operation of the brakes and see if any parts need cleaning or replacing.

That leads us to brake fluid service at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC.. Some of the critical additives in the fluid that lubricate and clean the SUV fluid system are depleted over time. That and moisture building up in the system deteriorate the performance of the brake fluid. Brake fluid replacement at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. includes flushing the brake system to clean out deposits, water and dirt. Then the system is filled up with fresh fluid.

The tires are what connect the SUV to the road. The stopping force is ultimately dependent on the traction provided by the tires. The better they grip the road, the quicker you’ll stop as you drive around New London.

For questions about brakes, brake pads, Brakes, Timing Belt Replacement, or tires, talk to MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC.  manager David Marshall.

Give us a call

MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC.
603.526.6231
330 Elkins Road
New London, New Hampshire 03233

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London New Hampshire (03233) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.526.6231. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Your SUV cooling system’s job is to keep your engine cool. Coolant (also called antifreeze) mixed with water flows through your engine and absorbs heat. The mixture then flows out to the radiator where it’s cooled by air flowing over the radiator. From there the cooled mix circulates back through the SUV engine to absorb more heat.

Coolant, or antifreeze, is specially formulated to keep your engine safe in a wide range of environmental and operating temperatures in New London.

Without coolant, the SUV’s metal engine parts would expand so much that the engine would seize up and stop running.  Expensive parts could be broken or warp so badly they would have to be replaced at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London. It could even be so bad that the whole engine is ruined and has to be replaced.

Also, if it’s freezing outside in New London, the water in your engine could freeze while your vehicle is sitting out in the New Hampshire cold. This is why you check coolant levels frequently and have your cooling system inspected for leaks. Also your manufacturer has a maintenance requirement for draining and replacing your coolant. These recommendations can vary widely, so check your New London owner’s manual or ask your service advisor at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London.

The reason you need to change the coolant is that it has additives in it to protect the cooling system. As you can imagine, with all the heat, the cooling system’s a pretty harsh environment. The additives keep the fluid from becoming corrosive and damaging the radiator and other New London cooling system components. Over time, the additives are depleted and the coolant just has to be replaced. A simple pH test can measure the coolant’s acidity.

You may have noticed that there are different colors of antifreeze at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC.: it is very important that you use the correct type.  The different coolant types are different colors so you don’t mix them up.  Manufacturers use different materials to make the cooling system, and they require different types of antifreeze to protect them.

So check with your Professional MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. service advisor or owner’s manual for the right kind because using the wrong coolant can void the warranty for your SUV cooling system.

Ask us about Wheel Alignment, Timing Belt Replacement and Timing Belt Replacement.

Give us a call

MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC.
603.526.6231
330 Elkins Road
New London, New Hampshire 03233

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London New Hampshire (03233) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.526.6231. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

With front-wheel drive being so common in New London these days, the differential is just taken care of during a transmission service, so most New London folks don’t even have to think about it. And most rear-wheel drive SUV differentials don’t need to be serviced for many miles, so it’s understandable that it’s not something on the top of mind. So it’s not uncommon for New Hampshire people to not know they have a differential let alone know that it needs service.

To better understand what a differential does, think about a high school track. There are lanes marked off on the track. For the longer distance races, the starting lines are staggered. The starting lines for the outside lanes are ahead of the starting lines for the inside lanes. That’s to compensate for the longer length of the outside lanes. Staggering the starting lines means that each runner has the same distance to run.

The differential compensates for the difference in speeds on drive wheels between the inside wheel and the outside wheel in a turn, because they have to travel together through slightly different distances.

Many SUV differentials do a lot of work and require very heavy duty parts. And those parts need protection. The differential fluid lubricates the gears in the differential and keeps them cool. The fluid eventually gets dirty and worn down. Some kinds of differentials require special additives that break down over time. So manufacturers and MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. technicians recommend intervals for replacing your differential fluid.

Your MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. service technician will drain the used fluid and check it out for metal bits, which could be a sign of excessive wear on the gears. He’ll then replace the fluid and install the additives if necessary.

New London four wheel drive SUVs need special attention to their differentials because they have a differential on both the front and rear axles that work at different times and sometimes under heavy loads – so they may need to be serviced at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. at different intervals.

Your New London service advisor can look up the manufacturer’s recommended service interval or you can check your SUV owner’s manual.

Give us a call

MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC.
603.526.6231
330 Elkins Road
New London, New Hampshire 03233

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London New Hampshire (03233) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.526.6231. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

The crankcase is the bottom area of the engine that holds the oil. When the SUV engine’s running, fuel is burned to generate power. Most of the exhaust from combustion goes out through the exhaust system. But some exhaust blows by the pistons and goes into the lower engine, or crankcase.

These hot gases are about seventy percent unburned fuel. This can dilute and contaminate the oil, leading to damaging engine oil sludge. It can also cause engine corrosion in your SUV. At high speeds, the pressure can build up to the point that gaskets and seals start to leak.

Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Region car owners need to know that over time, the vented gases will gum up the PCV valve and it won’t work well. That can lead to all of the problems I’ve already described, oil leaks, excessive oil consumption and wasted gas.

Fortunately, it’s very easy to test the PCV valve and quick and inexpensive to replace it at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC.. Even so, it’s often overlooked because many Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Region drivers don’t know about it.

Check your SUV owner’s manual or ask your MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. advisor. If this is the first time you’ve heard of a PCV valve, you might be in line for a PCV valve replacement.

Please ask us about your PCV valve. For the price of a couple of burger combo meals, you can avoid some very expensive deep engine repairs.

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London New Hampshire (03233) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.526.6231. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Now when you hear “severe service”, you may think it doesn’t apply to you because you don’t feel your driving conditions are severe or extreme – it’s just normal everyday driving around Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Area. At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC., we discuss the conditions that manufacturers classify as severe so that you can make the judgment on your own driving.

• Most trips are less than four miles
• Most trips are less than ten miles and outside temperatures are below freezing in Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Area
• You drive in very hot New Hampshire weather
• Driving at low speed most of the time (under 55 mph)
• Stop and go driving
• Operating your vehicle in dusty, polluted or muddy conditions
• You tow a trailer, regularly carry heavy loads or carry a car-top carrier on your SUV

Most Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Area drivers operate under severe driving conditions at least some of the time. How do you know which schedule to follow for your SUV?

Carefully think about your driving conditions and decide if you should do your preventive maintenance closer to the severe service recommendation or the regular recommendation. Of course, your MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. advisor can help you with your decision.

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London New Hampshire (03233) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.526.6231. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

In addition to just wearing out, MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. customers need to know that suspension components can be damaged in an accident or by a hard impact – like a pothole, hitting a curb or a rock in the road.

Because the life span of shocks can vary so widely, your SUV manufacturer and MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. recommend periodic inspections. During an inspection, your Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Region service technician will check for worn, broken or missing parts.

Signs that shocks or struts are wearing out: The tires may have a cupped wear pattern. This is from the shocks bouncing unevenly as you drive around Kearsarge Lake Sunapee Region. You may notice a floaty or drifting sensation when cornering. If the front of your SUV dives excessively when stopping, or rocks back and forth after you stopped, your shocks may be worn out. And if they are leaking fluid, it’s definitely time to replace them.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, come into MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. for a suspension inspection. Same if you’ve been in an accident that involved one of your wheels. Worn or broken shocks can cause premature wear or failure on other SUV suspension parts such as ball joints and other steering components as well. If your suspension actually fails, it could lead to a serious accident, so let us take care of your suspension components at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC..

When you replace your shocks, it’s usually a good idea to replace all four at the same time. That’ll give you more even handling. Talk with your service advisor at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. because you don’t want a big difference between the performance of your shocks from wheel to wheel, and replacing all may be the safest bet.

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London New Hampshire (03233) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.526.6231. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

Let’s focus on stopping in wet New London conditions. In order for a tire to have good contact with the road, it has to move the water out of the way. If it can’t move the water, the tire will actually ride on top of a thin film of water.

That’s called hydroplaning. At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. we want our customers to know that if it’s really bad, you can actually spin out of control. At best, you won’t stop as fast.

So how does a tire move water? It has channels for water to flow through. Look at a tire and you’ll see channels: channels that run around the tire and channels that flow across the tire. They’re designed to direct water away from the tire so it can contact the road better.

And the deeper the channel, the more water it can move. A brand new tire has very deep channels and can easily move a lot of water. As the tire wears down, the channels become shallower and can move less water. When it wears down enough, it can seriously affect your ability to stop on wet New London roads.

So that’s why it’s so important for New London drivers to replace the tires on their SUVs when they get worn. Consumer Reports and other advocate groups call for a standard of 3/32 of an inch and they have the studies to prove it.

By comparison, you’ve probably seen the wear indicator that’s molded into tires. When tires are worn 3/32 of an inch, the tread wear bar is visible. So the recommended standard has twice the tread depth as a completely worn out tire.

And that little bit of additional tread makes a big difference. Stopping distances are cut dramatically on wet roads. A safe stop from New Hampshire freeway speeds with 4/32 of an inch of tread would result in a crash with worn out tires.

There’s an easy way to tell when a tire’s worn to 4/32 of an inch. Just insert a quarter into the tread. Put it in upside down. If the tread doesn’t cover George Washington’s hairline, it’s time to replace your tires. With a Canadian quarter, the tread should cover the numbers in the year stamp.

You’ve probably heard of this technique using a penny and Abe Lincoln’s head. That measure gives you 2/32 of an inch – half the suggested amount.

Of course, tires are a big ticket item for New London car owners. Most of us want to get as many miles out of them as we can. But there’s a real safety trade-off. It’s your choice.

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London New Hampshire (03233) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.526.6231. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.

First, the serpentine belt drives your air conditioning system. Next, the belt powers the alternator.

The serpentine belt may also run the pumps for both the power steering and power brakes. In some SUVs, power steering may have an electric drive and power brakes can be vacuum driven.

And, on many vehicles, the serpentine belt powers the water pump (on some cars, the water pump is powered by the timing belt).

Your MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. service technician can perform a visual inspection of the belt to see if it has any cracks that signal the belt could fail soon and will measure the amount of belt material to make sure there is enough.

New London drivers should be aware that there’s a special, spring loaded pulley attached to the engine called the tensioner pulley and sometimes an extra pulley call the idler pulley. Their job is to make sure there’s a constant tension on the serpentine belt so that it doesn’t slip. The spring can become worn and no longer provide the necessary pressure to keep the belt tight. That’s why it’s often recommended that the tensioner, and the idler pulley if so equipped, be replaced at the same time as the serpentine belt.

All in all, the serpentine belt’s an important part for the function of your SUV. And it’s not that expensive to replace at MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. – so it’s good to do so before it fails.

At MARSHALL’S GARAGE INC. in New London New Hampshire (03233) we install quality NAPA replacement parts. Give us a call at 603.526.6231. To learn more about NAPA AutoCare, visit www.NAPAAutoCare.com.